Patriots: 3 Defensive Players Who’ll Have a Standout Year
2. Anfernee Jennings, Linebacker
The next player poised for a standout season in New England is the other highly-drafted rookie linebacker, Anfernee Jennings. Jennings was drafted 83rd overall out of New England’s college affiliate team, also known as the University of Alabama. It’s worth mentioning that Jennings’ 6’3“, 259-pound frame is similar to Jamie Collins (6’3“, 255), who has always been successful and incredibly athletic during his stints with the Patriots.
Jennings being a product of Alabama and playing under head coach Nick Saban automatically gives him an upper hand in how the Patriots run their defensive schemes. From alignment, verbiage, and technique, Jennings should have no problem carving a role for himself in Bill Belichick’s Patriots defense.
"“I talked to Coach Belichick last night. He plans on using me kind of the same way that I was used at Alabama – using my versatility, being able to stack it back off the ball and line up on the edge and move around, making the most of wherever he puts me.” – Anfernee Jennings, per CBS Boston WBZ"
Anfernee Jennings was the 10th player Bill Belichick has drafted who played under Nick Saban in college.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 25, 2020
That sets the record for the most players selected by a pro-college coach combo in the Common Draft Era (since 1967). pic.twitter.com/1gB0otuOFD
In addition to playing for Belichick’s former assistant, Jennings has experience and knowledge of the right level of versatility. In doing so, he often switched sides and lined up on the edge (both with his hand down or standing over the edge), was pulled off the line into coverage, and played inside linebacker at times.